UCLan is one of the UK’s largest universities with student and staff numbers totalling 40,000.

Chair of the University Alliance professor John Latham said: “At a time when the higher education sector faces huge challenges – but also great opportunities – coming together, collaborating and working collectively gives our members a stronger voice and supports us to innovate.

“The addition of UCLan, a university with a proud history, strong civic mission and a focus closely aligned to the needs of the economy, will help us as we continue to go from strength to strength as a group of institutions.”

Other member universities in the North West include Liverpool John Moores, Manchester Metropolitan, University of Salford and the University of Huddersfield.

UCLan is spending £200million on upgrading its Preston campus with new buildings.

In late November last year UCLan’s vice-chancellor professor Mike Thomas officially signalled the university’s change in strategy.

Professor Mike Thomas is in charge at UCLan Pic: Keith Byers

He said on joining the University Alliance: “I’m delighted that the University of Central Lancashire is joining the University Alliance. At this time of epoch-defining change in higher education, I truly believe that we will do better if we’re working alongside like-minded universities than we will as individual institutions.

“The Alliance emphasis on universities for cities and regions is very much in tune with our role as a civic, anchor institution – a university for the whole of Lancashire.

“I look forward to working with colleagues across the University Alliance network to influence and shape education, health, energy and industrial policy in what is a fascinating period not just for universities, but for the country as a whole.”

What do you make of the university’s changing strategy? Let us know in the comments below